Examining citizens’ trust in local government institutions: a focus on upazila parishads (sub-district councils) in Bangladesh

Against a backdrop of strikingly limited research on the subject, this article examines citizens’ trust in upazila parishads (UzPs) – a historically significant form of local government institution (LGI) in Bangladesh. A set of indicators has been developed that help to evaluate citizens’ trust in these LGIs. Alongside secondary literature and official document reviews, a mixed-method approach was adopted for empirical data collection combining quantitative (a questionnaire targeting a cross-section of service recipients) and qualitative ( key informant interviews with LGI service providers) methods. The results revealed a poor level of citizen trust in UzPs, as the majority of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with their performance. This low level of citizens’ trust was attributable to such reasons as delays in service delivery, dishonest and unfair practices, and disrespectful treatment by service providers. From a ‘supply-side’ perspective, service providers mentioned many constraints to good performance including the challenge of meeting growing demand with inadequate resources, frequent staff transfers, limited scope for training on modern technologies, and pressure and interference from influential elites

Effect of Organic, Inorganic Fertilizers and Plant Spacing on the Growth and Yield of Cabbage

The impact of chemical farming and the negative consequences on the environment and human health in Bangladesh are on the rise. Organic farming is gaining attention and increasing globally because it is eco-friendly, safe and has benefits for human health. A field study was conducted at the horticulture farm of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, to evaluate the growth and yield performance of cabbage cv. Atlas—70 using organic and inorganic fertilizers in various plant spacing arrangements. Two factor experiments were conducted on plant spacings of 60 cm × 40 cm (S1), 60 cm × 50 cm (S2) and 60 cm × 60 cm (S3) and fertilizers vermicompost (T1), biogen (T2), integrated plant nutrient system (IPNS) Organic (⅔) + inorganic (⅓) (T3) and inorganic (T4). IPNS (T3) application increased the marketable yield (54.77 t·ha−1) of cabbage. The highest marketable yield (48.75 t·ha−1) was obtained with a plant spacing of 60 cm × 40 cm (S1). No significant variation was found in plant spacings S1 and S2. The treatment combination of S2T3 recorded the highest plant height (37.81 cm), plant spread (47.75 cm), cabbage head (21.80 cm), stem length (12.31 cm), thickness of the cabbage head (12.53 cm) and marketable yield (65.0 t·ha−1). The results suggest that IPNS (T3) combining organic and inorganic fertilizer applications with a 60 cm × 50 cm spacing (S2T3) increases the yield performance of cabbage

Population Biology of the Indian River Shad, Gudusia chapra (Clupeidae) in the Old Brahmaputra River, North-Eastern Bangladesh

Population biology including population structure, reproduction, length-weight relationship and condition factor of a commercially important clupeid freshwater fish, Gudusia chapra was studied in the Old Brahmaputra River, Bangladesh during January-December 2009. In the present study, a total of 2032 specimens (1091 male; 941 female) were collected. The overall sex ratio showed significant difference from the expected value 1:1 (male: female = 1:0.86, χ2 = 11.07, p<0.001). Length-frequency distribution showed a size predominance of females over males, where mean female size consistently exceeded that of males throughout the year. Female size at first sexual maturity was estimated as 8.3 cm in standard length (SL). Monthly gonadosomatic index (GSI) was higher during March-September with a peak in April, indicating this was the main spawning season. The allometric coefficient b of the length-weight relationship (LWR) indicated negative allometric growth in males and females, but the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) showed significant differences in slope and intercept between the sexes (p<0.001). Fulton’s condition factor by months and SLs varied in both sexes and was attributed to variations in GSI with maturity

Mediating Effect of BMI on the Association of Economic Status and Coexistence of Hypertension and Diabetes in Bangladesh: A Counterfactual Framework-based Weighting Approach

Background and Aims Non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes are matters of huge concern worldwide, with an increasing trend in prevalence over the previous decade. First of all, this study aimed to evaluate the association between economic status (ES) and body mass index (BMI), ES and comorbidity of hypertension and diabetes, and BMI and comorbidity independently. Second, it explored the mediating role of BMI in the association between ES and comorbidity of hypertension and diabetes. Finally, it investigated whether the mediating effect differs with the place of residence, gender, and education levels. Methods A total of 11,291 complete cases from the Bangladesh demographic and health survey 2017–18 were utilized for this study. Survey-based binary logistic regression or multiple logistic regression was used to find the association among outcome, exposure, and mediator variables, and a counterfactual framework-based weighting approach was utilized for mediation analysis. Results Middle-income (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.696, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.219, 2.360) and rich (AOR: 2.770, CI: 2.054, 3.736) respondents were more likely to have comorbidity of hypertension and diabetes compared to the poor. The odds of comorbidity increased with the increase in BMI. A positive association was observed between ES and BMI. A significant mediating role of BMI in the association between ES and comorbidity was found. We observed that 19.85% (95% CI: 11.50%, 49.6%) and 20.35% (95% CI: 14.9%, 29.3%) of total effect was mediated by BMI for middle and rich respondents, respectively, compared to the poor. Conclusions The mediating role of BMI was greater for female, no or primary educated respondents, and respondents from rural areas. Therefore, the study will facilitate policymakers of Bangladesh and other countries with a similar set-up to decide on health policies regarding hypertension and diabetes

UGROŽENE VRSTE RIBA U SVIJETU: Botia dario (Hamilton, 1822) (Cypriniformes: Cobitidae)

Bengal loach Botia dario is a valuable food fish in South Asian countries including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal. However, the wild population is declining due to heavy harvest, habitat loss and its ecological changes. This paper suggests actions for the conservation of the lasting isolated populations of B. dario in Asian countries.Benegalski vijun, Botia dario, u južnim azijskim zemljama, uključujući Bangladeš, Butan, Indiju i Nepal, ima visoku važnost u prehrani. Međutim, divlje populacije su u opadanju zbog teškog iskorištavanja, gubitka staništa i ekoloških promjena. U ovom članku se predlažu akcije za očuvanje posljednjih izoliranih populacija B. dario u azijskim zemljama

Exploring knowledge and practices regarding menstrual hygiene management among Bihari women in the Geneva Camp in Bangladesh

Background: Research into menstrual hygiene management (MHM) has been mainly based on menstruation-related knowledge and practices of women and girls in the mainstream Bangladeshi society; socially disadvantaged groups, such as the Bihari refugee women, have largely been ignored. Purpose: This study aims to assess knowledge and practices about MHM among Bihari women in the Mohammadpur Geneva Camp in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Methods: In 2017, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among Bihari women and girls by the trained interviewers using a structured questionnaire. The purposive sampling was applied to select 160 Bihari women aged between 15 and 49. Data were entered, cleaned, and analysed using SPSS software. Both univariate and bivariate analyses were undertaken to examine knowledge and MHM-related practices with a significance level of p<0.01. Results: Overall, most women (59.4%) had low knowledge about menstruation. More than one-quarter (27.0%) used disposable sanitary napkins. The Bihari women who did not use sanitary pads (73%) reported that they used old disposable clothes (59.83%), reusable cloths (25.64%), cotton (9.40%), or toilet tissue paper (4.27%). Around two-thirds of the women (68.0%) performed special baths and 36.9% followed socio-cultural taboos during menstruation. The bivariate analyses revealed that higher menstruation knowledge was associated with higher use of disposable sanitary napkins (low knowledge: 18.9%, high knowledge: 38.5%; p<0.01). Conclusions: The findings suggest that it is imperative for Bihari women to have adequate and appropriate menstruation knowledge so that they can maintain good menstrual hygiene practices. The findings highlight challenges experienced by the refugee women in maintaining MHM and can be used to improve women’s reproductive health and well-being and reduce the risk of reproductive tract infections (RTI) among socially disadvantaged women

RAST JEDNOSPOLNE I NILSKE TILAPIJE MJEŠOVITOG SPOLA U UVJETIMA PREZIMLJAVANJA NA SJEVEROISTOKU BANGLADEŠA

The study was conducted to assess the over-wintering growth performance of mixed-sex and mono-sex male tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. The experiment was carried out with two treatments each with three replicates for a period of 6 months from October, 2012 to March, 2013 in the Field Laboratory Complex, Bangladesh Agricultural University. In the first treatment (T1), mixed-sex tilapia was stocked in 3 ponds with a mean initial weight of 4.80±0.18 g. In the second treatment (T2), mono-sex male tilapia was stocked in another 3 ponds with a mean initial weight of 4.81±0.20 g. Fish were fed at the rate of 6% of fish body weight at the beginning of the experiments then the feeding rates were gradually reduced to 2% for the third month and finally increased to 3% for rest of the period. Water parameters in terms of temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, transparency, alkalinity, ammonia and nitrite were within the range of fish farming. After 6 months of culture period mono-sex male tilapia attained a significantly (P0.05) difference of food conversion ratio and survival rate (%) values between the treatments. The benefit-cost ratio was calculated as 1.17 and 1.43 for mixed-sex and mono-sex male tilapia, respectively. The results suggested that it is possible to successfully culture tilapia during the winter period in Bangladesh and the culture of mono-sex tilapia is more profitable due to its higher growth rate.Cilj ovog istraživanja bila je procjena rasta nilske tilapije mješovitog i muškog spola, Oreochromis niloticus, u uvjetima prezimljavanja. Eksperiment se sastojao od dva tretmana s tri ponavljanja u razdoblju od 6 mjeseci, od listopada 2012. do ožujka 2013. godine na vanjskim bazenima (Field Laboratory Complex) Poljoprivrednog sveučilišta u Bangladešu. U prvom tretmanu (T1) je tilapija mješovitog spola prosječne početne težine 4,80 ± 0,18 g bila smještena u 3 ribnjaka. U drugom tretmanu (T2), tilapija muškog spola prosječne početne težine 4.81 ± 0.20 g bila je smještena također u 3 ribnjaka. Na početku eksperimenta ribe su bile hranjene po stopi od 6% od njihove ukupne tjelesne mase, a potom su stope hranjenja postepeno smanjivane do 2% u trećem mjesecu te na kraju povećane na 3% u preostalom vremenu. Parametri vode poput temperature, otopljenog kisika, pH, prozirnosti, alkaliniteta, amonijaka i nitrita bili su u skladu s vrijednostima pogodnima za uzgoj ribe. Nakon 6 mjeseci uzgoja, tilapija muškog spola dosegla je značajno veću prosječnu konačnu težinu (P 0,05) i postotku stope preživljavanja (%) između tretmana. Rezultati su pokazali mogućnost uspješne kultivacije tilapije u zimskom periodu u Bangladešu, s time da je uzgoj jednospolne tilapije isplativiji zbog njezine veće stope rasta

Design and numerical investigation of cadmium telluride (CdTe) and iron silicide (FeSi2) based double absorber solar cells to enhance power conversion efficiency

Inorganic CdTe and FeSi2-based solar cells have recently drawn a lot of attention because they offer superior thermal stability and good optoelectronic properties compared to conventional solar cells. In this work, a unique alternative technique is presented by using FeSi2 as a secondary absorber layer and In2S3 as the window layer for improving photovoltaic (PV) performance parameters. Simulating on SCAPS-1D, the proposed double-absorber (Cu/FTO/In2S3/CdTe/FeSi2/Ni) structure is thoroughly examined and analyzed. The window layer thickness, absorber layer thickness, acceptor density (NA), donor density (ND), defect density (Nt), series resistance (RS), and shunt resistance (Rsh) were simulated in detail for optimization of the above configuration to improve PV performance. According to this study, 0.5 um is the optimized thickness for both the CdTe and FeSi2 absorber layers in order to maximize efficiency. Here, the value of the optimum window layer thickness is 50 nm. For using CdTe as a single absorber, the efficiency is achieved by 13.26%. But for using CdTe and FeSi2 as a dual absorber, the efficiency is enhanced and the obtaining value is 27.35%. The other parameters are also improved and the obtaining values for fill factor (FF) are 83.68%, open-circuit voltage (Voc) is 0.6566V, and short circuit current density (JSc) is 49.78 mA/cm2. Furthermore, the proposed model performs good at 300 K operating temperature. The addition of the FeSi2 layer to the cell structure has resulted in a significant quantum efficiency (QE) enhancement because of the rise in solar spectrum absorption at longer wavelengths. The findings of this work offer a promising approach for producing high-performance and reasonably priced CdTe-based solar cells.Comment: 17 pages, 10 figure

Optimum and late sowing of mustard varieties show similar seed yield

Appropriate planting time of mustard (Brassica sp.) during winter determines the growth yield and quality of a particular cultivar. Since the shift of winter period over the last few years driven by climate change, a transformation in mustard cultivation is also observed. Thus, to study the extent of these variations we studied 6 mustard varieties (V1- Binasarisha-4, V2- Binasarisha-9, V3- Binasarisha-10, V4- BARI Sarisha-14, V5- BARI Sarisha-16 and V6- BARI Sarisha-17) under 3 different planting dates (D1-31st October, D2-10th November and D3-20th November) in the Magura district of Bangladesh to evaluate yield differences over sowing times. Field experimentation was set followed RCB (Randomized complete block) design. Data on growth and yield parameters were collected at various days after sowing. Outcomes noted that, most number of siliqua/plant was obtained with treatment combination D3 × V5 (190.33), siliqua length with D3 × V2 (7.95 cm), number of seeds per siliqua by D3 × V6 (36.30), thousand grain weight by D1 × V1 (3.90 g). Hence, correlation study suggested that, seed yield was positively related to number of siliqua/plant, siliqua length and number of seeds/siliqua. Though, BARI Sarisha-16 (V5) delivered top seed and stover yield in all sowing dates. But interaction effects depicted that planting on 10th (2.00 t/ha) and 20th November (1.99, 1.94 t/ha) gave similar seed yield like 31st October planting (2.31 t/ha); in addition, stover yield (6.70, 6.83 t/ha) also remained at peak with the later plantings (D2, D3). An increase in the tendency of life duration was noticed when sown on 20th November for most treatment combination. Overall, delayed sowing of mustard didn’t affect the yield and related attributes rather it accelerated to some attributes. Hence, rescheduling of optimum sowing time for mustard is now a time demanding concern with regard to weather change